Overview
- The Committee of Ministers chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis approved October 15 as the 2026–27 crushing start to increase sugar supply ahead of festival demand.
- State officials plan measures such as an interest subsidy under a soft‑loan scheme, incentives for co‑generation and Compressed Biogas projects, and a proposal to relax jute‑bag packing rules.
- Industry leaders and federation officials warn that early crushing will reduce sugar recovery because less‑ripened cane contains lower sugar, which could cut mill revenues and lower farmer payments.
- The central government allowed duty‑free imports of 10 lakh tonnes and mills applied for about 8 lakh tonnes, but rising global sugar prices have made those imports less commercially viable.
- Maharashtra presented estimates of roughly 990 lakh tonnes of cane and projected sugar output near 96 lakh tonnes after diverting cane for ethanol, and it will press the Centre on MSP, ethanol pricing and pending subsidies.